Delphinium plant named ‘COADELPNK’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct Delphinium hybrid plant named ‘COADELPNK’ which is characterized by an abundance of basal foliage with a compound terminal raceme held within and above the foliage, flowers loosely held on long pedicels, flowers with an abundance of tepaloids, a unique color appearance of the perianth comprised of a light green center which becomes progressively more suffused with a dark pink general coloration towards the outer whorls of the perianth, and the stability and uniformity of these traits through successive cycles of asexual propagation.

Latin name of the genus and species: The Latin name of the genus and species of the novel variety disclosed herein is Delphinium hybrid.

Variety denomination: The inventive variety of Delphinium disclosed herein has been given the variety denomination ‘COADELPNK’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Parentage: The claimed plant originated as a naturally occurring, whole-plant mutation of Delphinium hybrid ‘Coadelbol’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 27,704). In the summer of 2012 the inventor discovered the mutation at a commercial greenhouse in Noordwijkerhout, Netherlands, growing amongst a crop of Delphinium hybrid ‘Coadelbol’. The mutation was noted for its compact growth habit, abundance of flowers and unique pink flower color. The new plant was subsequently isolated for further evaluation in order to confirm the distinctness and stability of the characteristics first observed.

Asexual Reproduction: In the spring of 2013, ‘COADELPNK’ was first asexually reproduced in Glasgow, Scotland by way of softwood stem cuttings. The claimed plant was later asexually reproduced by way of meristematic tissue culture. The claimed plant was found to asexually reproduce in uniform and stable manner and four successive cycles of vegetative propagation have proven to be true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following characteristics have been repeatedly observed and represent the distinguishing characteristics of the new Delphinium plant, ‘COADELPNK’. These traits, in combination, distinguish ‘COADELPNK’ as a new and distinct cultivar.

-   -   1. ‘COADELPNK’ exhibits a compact growth habit with an abundance         of basal foliage and a compound terminal raceme held within and         above the foliage; and     -   2. ‘COADELPNK’ exhibits flowers loosely held on long pedicels         along the raceme; and     -   3. ‘COADELPNK’ exhibits an abundance of tepaloids; and     -   4. ‘COADELPNK’ exhibits flowers with multiple whorls of very         tightly held tepaloids at the center of the perianth, more         relaxed tepaloids towards the outer whorls of the perianth, and         an outer whorl of loosely held tepals; and     -   5. ‘COADELPNK’ exhibits light purple tepals and tepaloids when         fully opened which generally appear as a dark pink coloration;         and     -   6. ‘COADELPNK’ exhibits innermost tepaloids at and near the         center of the perianth which are light yellow-green; and     -   7. ‘COADELBOL’ exhibits a unique color appearance of the         perianth comprised of a light green center, becoming         progressively more suffused with dark pink towards the outer         whorls of the perianth.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURE

FIG. 1 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color photographs of this type, an exemplary ‘COADELPNK’ plant at approximately 6 months of age grown in Glasgow, Scotland.

FIG. 2 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color photographs of this type, the foliage of ‘COADELPNK’.

FIG. 3 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color photographs of this type, the flowers of ‘COADELPNK’.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following is a detailed botanical description of a new and distinct Delphinium plant known as ‘COADELPNK’. Plant observations were made on a 6 month-old plant growing in Glasgow, Scotland. The observed plant was field-grown in full exposure to natural sunlight, maintained with organic fertilizer and overhead irrigation. Chemical control of powdery mildew was utilized in production but no other pest or pathogen countermeasures were employed. For the purposes of these observations, the observed plant was harvested from the field and potted into a 19 cm nursery container. Observation data was recorded in July of 2020.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain characteristics will vary with older or, conversely, younger plants. ‘COADELPNK’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. Where dimensions, sizes, colors and other characteristics are given, it is to be understood that such characteristics are approximations or averages set forth as accurately as practicable. The phenotype of the variety may vary with variations in the environment such as season, temperature, light intensity, day length, cultural conditions and the like. Color notations are based on The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, The Royal Horticultural Society, London, Sixth Edition except where common terms of color are used.

A botanical description of ‘COADELPNK’ and comparisons with the parent and most similar commercial cultivar are provided below.

-   General plant description:     -   -   Plant habit.—Perennial plant with basal foliage and branched             flowering stems, bearing flowers arranged on terminal             racemes held within and above the foliage.         -   Plant profile.—Narrow ovate to ovate.         -   Height.—36.8 cm to the top of the foliar plane; 76.0 cm to             the top of the floral plane.         -   Spread.—36.3 cm.         -   Plant vigor.—Moderately vigorous.         -   Growth rate.—Moderately fast growing.         -   Propagation.—Method — Softwood stem cuttings. Time to             initiate rooting — 6 weeks at an average ambient temperature             of 15 degrees Celsius. Time to produce flowering plant from             rooted cutting — Approximately 6 months in an 11 cm             container.         -   Pest resistance and susceptibility.—Not any more or less             susceptible to pests or diseases known to effect Delphinium             sp.         -   Environmental tolerances.—Adapt to, at least, USDA Zones 5             to 9 and temperatures ranging from minus 23 degrees Celsius             to 35 degrees Celsius; moderate tolerance to rain; low             tolerance to wind. -   Root system:     -   -   Description.—A moderately dense network of relatively             shallow thin, fibrous feeder roots and deeper thick anchor             roots. -   Stems:     -   -   Branching habit.—No vegetative branches are present, however             branched flowering stems are present.         -   Flowering stem.—Quantity — Three. Attitude — Erect; near             vertical. Aspect — Generally rounded; slightly angular.             Strength — Strong. Length — 10.0 cm. Diameter — 1.2 cm.             Internode length — 1.8 cm. Texture — Sparsely pubescent;             hairs are 0.1 cm on average and are colored a translucent             white, nearest to RHS NN155C. Luster — Matte, due to the             presence of epicuticular wax. Color, developing stems —             Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 146C, and covered with an             epicuticular wax which is colored yellow-green, nearest to             in between RHS 145A and 146D. Color, mature stems — Green,             nearest to a combination of RHS 143A, 143B, and 143C. Stems             are covered with an epicuticular wax which is colored             nearest to in between yellow-green and greyed-green, RHS             147C and 191B. Color at the internodes — Green, nearest to a             combination of RHS 143A, 143B, and 143C. Stems are covered             with an epicuticular wax which is colored nearest to in             between yellow-green and greyed-green, RHS 147C and 191B. -   Foliage:     -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate.         -   Attachment.—Petiolate.         -   Division.—Simple.         -   Quantity.—13 stem leaves.         -   Shape.—Palmate with a reniform outline; deeply lobed to near             cleft.         -   Lobes.—Depth of sinuses — Deep. Sinus orientation —             Divergent.         -   Aspect.—Slightly convex and reflexed.         -   Attitude.—Outward.         -   Length.—17.2 cm.         -   Width.—20.7 cm.         -   Apex.—Narrowly acute.         -   Base.—Hastate; lobes free to touching.         -   Margins.—Coarsely serrate.         -   Texture and pubescence, adaxial surface.—Smooth and             glabrous.         -   Texture and pubescence, abaxial surface.—Smooth and             glabrous.         -   Luster, adaxial surface.—Matte.         -   Luster, abaxial surface.—Matte.         -   Color.—Juvenile foliage color, adaxial surface —             Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 144A. Juvenile foliage color,             abaxial surface — Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 144B. Mature             leaf color, adaxial surface — Green, nearest to RHS NN137A             yet slightly darker. Mature leaf color, abaxial surface —             Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 147B.         -   Venation.—Type — Laciniate. Vein color, adaxial surface —             Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 144A. Vein color, abaxial             surface — Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 144B.         -   Petiole.—Length — 9.3 cm. Diameter — Petioles are flattened;             0.4 cm tall and 0.5 cm wide. Strength — Very strong.             Texture, adaxial and abaxial surfaces — Smooth and glabrous.             Luster, adaxial and abaxial surfaces — Moderately glossy.             Color, adaxial and abaxial surface — Yellow-green, nearest             to RHS 144A.         -   Stipules.—Absent. -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Inflorescence type.—Compound terminal raceme with a central,             main raceme and multiple lateral racemes.         -   Natural flowering season.—Late summer in Glasgow, Scotland.         -   Time to flower or response time.—Approximately 10 months.         -   Height.—The entire compound raceme is 61.5 cm high, from the             lowest branching of the peduncle to the apex of the             inflorescence. The main, central raceme is 42.9 cm tall.         -   Diameter.—The entire compound raceme is 23.9 cm in diameter;             the main, central raceme is 10.3 cm in diameter.         -   Quantity of flowers per inflorescence.—140 on the entire             compound raceme; 34 on the main raceme.         -   Peduncle.—Length — Approximately 41.1 cm. Diameter —             Approximately 0.6 cm. Attitude — Erect, in an average angle             of 0 degrees to the main stem. Strength — Strong. Texture —             Smooth and glabrous. Luster — Slightly glossy. Color —             Yellow-green, nearest to in between RHS 144A and 146B.         -   Bracts.—Quantity — Two bracts are present at the base of             each individual flower. Shape — Linear. Length — 1.5 cm, on             average. Width — 0.175 cm, on average. Apex — Narrowly             acute. Base — Cuneate. Margin — Entire. Texture — Smooth and             sparsely covered with short, soft hairs with an average             length of 0.03 cm and colored white, nearest to RHS NN155C.             Color, adaxial and abaxial surfaces — Yellow-green, nearest             to RHS 144B. -   Flower bud:     -   -   Shape.—Obovate.         -   Length.—Average of 1.4 cm.         -   Diameter.—0.8 cm tall and 1.0 cm wide.         -   Texture.—Smooth and sparsely pubescent; soft white hairs are             approximately 0.03 cm long and colored a translucent white,             nearest to RHS NN155C.         -   Luster.—Slightly glossy.         -   Color, upper surface.—Purple, nearest to RHS N77D, and             fading darker towards the proximal end, nearest to RHS N79A.         -   Color, lower surface.—Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 145C. -   Flower:     -   -   Type and form.—Rotate; double.         -   Aspect.—Outward.         -   Flowering habit.—Freely flowering.         -   Flower longevity on plant.—Approximately 10 days.         -   Longevity of cut flowers.—Approximately 10 days.         -   Persistent or self-cleaning.—Self-cleaning.         -   Fragrance.—Non-fragrant.         -   Diameter.—Average of 4.4 cm.         -   Perianth.—No distinct petals and sepals, only tepals and             tepaloids are present. Tepals — Quantity — 5 unfused tepals;             one dorsal, two lateral, and two lower tepals. Arrangement —             Rotate; single whorl. Attitude — Relaxed. Aspect —             Moderately concave. Length — Dorsal tepal — 2.4 cm. Lateral             tepals — 2.3 cm. Lower tepals — 2.4 cm. Width — Dorsal tepal             — 1.5 cm. Lateral tepals — 1.6 cm. Lower tepals — 1.55 cm.             Shape — Dorsal tepal is broad ovate; lateral tepals are             elliptic; and, lower tepals are broad obovate. Apex — All             tepals are acute. Base — All tepals are broad cuneate.             Margin — All tepals are entire and moderately undulated.             Texture, luster and pubescence of the upper surface — All             tepals are glabrous, slightly velvety, and matte. Texture,             luster and pubescence of the lower surface — All tepals are             moderately covered with very short, soft hairs with an             average length of 0.3 cm and colored white, nearest to RHS             NN155C. All tepals are matte. Color when opening, upper             surface — Dorsal tepal — Greyed-purple, nearest to RHS 186D,             and fading to yellow-green towards the base, nearest to RHS             144C; distally suffused with yellow-green, nearest to RHS             146C. Lateral tepals — Greyed-purple, nearest to RHS 186D,             and fading to yellow-green towards the base, nearest to RHS             144C; distally suffused with yellow-green, nearest to RHS             146C. Lower tepals — Greyed-purple, nearest to RHS 186D, and             fading to yellow-green towards the base, nearest to RHS             144C; distally suffused with yellow-green, nearest to RHS             146C. Color when opening, lower surface — Dorsal tepal —             Nearest to in between greyed-red and greyed-purple, nearest             to RHS 182C and 186C; apex is yellow-green, nearest to RHS             146C. Lateral tepals — Purple, nearest to RHS 75B, and             fading to yellow-green towards the base, nearest to RHS             145C; apex is yellow-green, nearest to RHS 146C. Lower             tepals — Purple, nearest to RHS 75B, and fading to             yellow-green towards the base, nearest to RHS 145C; apex is             yellow-green, nearest to RHS 146C. Color when fully opened,             upper surface — Dorsal tepal — Nearest to in between             greyed-purple and purple, RHS 76B and 186C, and fading to             yellow-green towards the base, nearest to a mixture of RHS             145A and 145B; lightly suffused with yellow-green, nearest             to RHS 146C, towards the apex. Tepals do not fade with age.             Lateral tepals — Purple, nearest to RHS 76B, and fading to             yellow-green towards the base, nearest to a mixture of RHS             145B and 145C; lightly suffused with yellow-green towards             the apex, nearest to RHS 146C. Tepals do not fade with age.             Lower tepals — Purple, nearest to RHS 76B, and fading to             yellow-green towards the base, nearest to a mixture of RHS             145B and 145C; lightly suffused with yellow-green, nearest             to RHS 146C, towards the apex. Tepals do not fade with age.             Color when fully opened, lower surface — Dorsal tepal —             Greyed-red, nearest to RHS 181D yet lighter; fading to green             towards the base, nearest to a mixture of RHS 136A and 136B;             suffused with yellow-green towards the apex, nearest to RHS             146C. Tepals do not fade with age. Lateral tepals — Purple,             nearest to RHS 76B, and fading to yellow-green towards the             base, nearest to a mixture of RHS 145A, 145B and 145C;             lightly suffused with yellow-green, nearest to RHS 146C,             centrally and also towards the apex. Tepals do not fade with             age. Lower tepal — Violet-blue, nearest to RHS 94B, and             fading to yellow-green towards the base, nearest to RHS             144B; a yellow-green blotch is present near the apex,             nearest to in between RHS 146C and 146D. Tepals do not fade             with age. Tepal venation color — Green, nearest to RHS 136A.             Fully opened, lower surface — Greyed-green, nearest to RHS             N189A. Tepaloids — Arrangement — Rotate; the unfused             tepaloids are relatively tightly-held in 10 whorls. Attitude             — Erect. Aspect — Strongly concave. Quantity — 65. Length —             2.0 cm. Width — 1.0 cm. Shape — Obovate. Apex — Acute. Base             — Broad cuneate. Margin — Entire; moderately to heavily             undulated. Texture, luster and pubescence of the inner             surface — Moderately velvety, glabrous and slightly glossy.             Texture, luster and pubescence of the outer surface —             Slightly velvety, glabrous and matte. Color when opening,             upper surface — Outer tepaloids are yellow-green, nearest to             RHS 145D, with a darker central blotch, nearest to a mixture             of RHS 145B and 145C; apex is suffused with purple, nearest             to a mixture of RHS 75B and 75C. Inner tepaloids are             green-white, nearest to RHS 157D yet lighter, and fading to             yellow-green at the apex, nearest to RHS 145B. Color when             opening, lower surface — Outer tepaloids are yellow-green,             nearest to RHS 145D, with a darker central blotch, nearest             to a mixture of RHS 145B and 145C; apex is suffused with             purple, nearest to RHS 76B. Inner tepaloids are green-white,             nearest to RHS 157D yet lighter, and fading to yellow-green             at the apex, nearest to RHS 145B. Color when fully opened,             upper surface — Outer tepaloids are yellow-green at the             base, nearest to RHS 145D, and progressively suffused with             purple distally, nearest to a mixture of RHS 75B, 75C and             75D; apex and distal margins are purple, nearest to a             mixture of RHS 75B, 75C and 75D; a yellow-green central             blotch is present, nearest to RHS 145C. Inner tepaloids are             green-white, nearest to RHS N157D, and progressively             suffused with yellow-green towards and at the apex, nearest             to RHS 145B. Tepaloids do not fade with age. Color when             fully opened, lower surface — Outer tepaloids are             yellow-green at the base, nearest to RHS 145D, and             progressively suffused with purple distally, nearest to a             mixture of RHS 75B, 75C and 75D; apex and distal margins are             purple, nearest to a mixture of RHS 75B, 75C and 75D; a             yellow-green central blotch is present, nearest to RHS 145C.             Inner tepaloids are green-white, nearest to RHS N157D, and             progressively suffused with yellow-green towards and at the             apex, nearest to RHS 145B. Tepaloids do not fade with age.             Tepaloid venation color when fully opened, inner surface —             Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 145A. Tepaloid venation color             when fully opened, outer surface — Yellow-green, nearest to             RHS 144B. Pedicels — Length — 6.3 cm. Diameter — 0.2 cm.             Angle — Average angle to peduncle axis is approximately 30             degrees. Strength — Moderately strong to strong. Texture —             Smooth and glabrous. Luster — Moderately glossy. Color —             Yellow-green, nearest to in between RHS 144A and 146B. Spurs             — Quantity — One dorsal tepal spur present. Length — 0.5 cm.             Diameter — 0.4 cm. Shape — Broad oblong. Apex — Obtuse. Base             — Broad cuneate. Texture — Moderately rugose and glabrous.             Luster — Moderately glossy. Color — Yellow-green, nearest to             RHS 148A. -   Reproductive organs: All reproductive organs reduced to tepaloids.     An undeveloped ovary is present; colored yellow-green, nearest to     RHS 147A yet darker. -   Fruit and seed: No fruiting has been observed.

Comparison With the Parent Plant

Plants of the new cultivar ‘COADELPNK’ differ from the parent, Delphinium hybrid ‘COADELBOL’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 27,704), by the characteristics described in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Characteristic ‘COADELPNK’ ‘COADELBOL’ Plant size. Smaller than Larger than ‘COADELBOL’. ‘COADELPNK’. Abundance of More abundant than Less abundant than foliage. ‘COADELBOL’. ‘COADELPNK’. Inflorescence type. Compound terminal Unbranched terminal raceme. raceme. Inflorescence size. Larger than Smaller than ‘COADELBOL’. ‘COADELPNK’. General appearance Flowers appear to Flowers appear to be of the inflorescence. be more loosely held more tightly held on the on the raceme due to raceme due to shorter longer flower pedicels. flower pedicels. Tepaloid arrangement Tepaloids are more Tepaloids are more within the perianth. tightly held in whorls. loosely held in whorls. Quantity of tepaloids. More than Less than ‘COADELBOL’. ‘COADELPNK’. General coloration Light purple, generally Central zone of the of the outer tepaloids appearing as a dark tepaloids are violet; when fully opened. pink coloration. marginal zone is violet blue.

Comparison With the Most Similar Delphinium Cultivar Known to the Inventor

Plants of the new cultivar ‘COADELPNK’ are most similar to the commercial cultivar, Delphinium hybrid ‘COADELBBL’ (a United States Patent application for which is being filed concurrently with the instant application). A comparison of ‘COADELPNK’ with Delphinium ‘COADELBBL’ is described in Table 2.

TABLE 2 Characteristic ‘COADELPNK’ ‘COADELBBL’ Growth habit. Flowering stems are Flowering stems are shorter and held within longer and held within and above the foliage. and above the foliage. Quantity of More than Fewer than flowering stems. ‘COADELBBL’. ‘COADELPNK’. Length of flowering Shorter than Longer than stem. ‘COADELBBL’. ‘COADELPNK’. Inflorescence size. Larger than Smaller than ‘COADELBBL’. ‘COADELPNK’. General coloration Light purple, generally Light greyed-red to of the tepals and appearing as a dark pink greyed-purple, generally outer tepaloids when coloration. appearing as a light fully opened. pink coloration. Expression of color More prominent than More conspicuous than on the tepaloids. ‘COADELBBL’. ‘COADELPNK’. Quantity of More than Fewer than tepaloids. ‘COADELBBL’. ‘COADELPNK’. 

That which is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Delphinium hybrid plant named ‘COADELPNK’, substantially as described and illustrated herein. 